1-2 week for MFL MarMac volleyball

By Audrey Posten | Times-Register

The MFL MarMac volleyball team went 1-2 last week, dropping a pair of matches to Waukon and South Winneshiek, but handily defeating Kee.

The Indians swept the Sept. 30 match in Monona 25-19, 25-19 and 25-18, in what Bulldog head coach Becky Johnson called one of the tougher games this season.

“They are performing better than us, but I’m proud this team never let up,” Johnson said. “Probably the biggest thing that hurt us was our hitting efficiency, which is one of our biggest weaknesses as a team. While we had individuals that contributed well for us, like Lily Johnson with seven kills and a 0.160 hitting efficiency, we struggled with Waukon’s size and blocking presence.”

In addition to Johnson’s seven kills, Avery Lamborn compiled five and Maddie Keehner three, while Addison Corlett led the team with 13 assists. Conversely, Waukon racked up 31 kills and an efficiency of .163. Defensively, the Indians netted 12 blocks.

Johnson was pleased with MFL MarMac’s back row presence, where Lauryn Johnson led the team with 15 digs and earned her 500th career dig.

“It’s probably where I have seen the biggest improvement in our program,” Johnson said.

Serving was another strong point, as the Bulldogs converted 89.5 percent to Waukon’s 83.8.

“I put some individuals in serving roles, like Kacie Picha and Morgan Jacobson, and they have really contributed well in those roles for us,” Johnson noted.

Jacobson was 11-13 with an ace that night, while Picha was 7-8. Corlett hit all eight of her attempts and also scored an ace.

“Overall, we wish it was a win. Losing is never fun,” Johnson said. “But we have to remember the growth that is taking place and transformation is a journey, not a destination.”

On Oct. 1, the Bulldogs continued to serve well and upped their hitting efficiency to .126, above their season average, to sweep Kee 3-0. They took the first set 25-22, then edged the Hawks 25-22 in the second, before running away with a 25-9 win in the final frame.

Lily Johnson had a team-high nine kills, followed by Lamborn with seven and Keehner six. Corlett totaled 25 assists.

Defensively, Autumn Shaw turned in six digs, while Lauryn Johnson and Keehner each posted five.

From the service line, Keehner connected on 12 of 14 attempts, including six of MFL MarMac’s 17 aces. Jacobson and Corlett were both 13-15, with Jacobson cranking out five aces and Corlett three.

“We were able to get most of our team some court presence, which isn’t always possible at every match, so that feels good when most players have a chance to play in front of their home crowd,” Johnson shared.

Unfortunately, the Bulldogs couldn’t keep the momentum going at South Winn on Oct. 3, where the Warriors earned a sweep with scores of 25-14, 25-21 and 25-10. 

South Winn put up a .220 kill efficiency and hit 92 percent of serves. MFL MarMac came in at .000 on kill efficiency, but continued to make around 89 percent of serves.

Lily Johnson and Keehner topped the kills column with six apiece. Devon Meyer had five and Lamborn four. Corlett accounted for 15 of the team’s 20 assists.

Corlett was also among the Bulldogs’ kills leaders, her 14 just one less than Lauryn Johnson’s 15. 

At the service line, Corlett and Picha were each a perfect 11-11, with one ace each. 

Before the match against Central two weeks ago, Johnson said she began reviewing statistical data. That led to lineup changes in that game as well as the matches since.

As a result, noted Johnson, “We are starting to get settled in and, honestly, playing some of the best volleyball I have seen out of this team. Do we still have lots of growth to make? Absolutely! But the improvement in these players is exciting to see.”

MFL MarMac is now 5-18 overall and 2-3 in the Upper Iowa Conference. Two home games are on the schedule this week: versus North Fayette Valley on Oct. 8 and versus Turkey Valley on Oct. 10. The latter is senior night.